12'/13' Draft Thread: Something, Something... SETH JONES!

Another player Im keeping an eye on is Connor Hurley. Centre who seems to have a ton of skill, but hasnt filled out yet. Seems to be ranked around the 2nd or 3rd round at the moment, but could shoot up as the draft gets closer.

I'm a big fan of Hurley's as well. He could be this year's Mark Jankowski, the high school guy the Flames took in the first round last year.

He looks interesting, but I'm unsure as to how he will be like Jankowski?

A skilled high school guy that rises?

Pretty much. He's the top US high school player in this draft a la Jankowski. If the draft wasn't so deep he'd probably be a first rounder too. You can check out some clips of him on youtube. You can see the skill and vision, but he's not playing against the best comp, and his linemates don't finish most of his beauty passes.

Edina is one of the premier high school teams in Minnesota right now, producing NHL prospects such as Zach Budish, Lou Nanne and Max Everson. This is Hurley’s year – but the talented forward jumped the gun and had a fantastic 2011-12 campaign as well, leading the Hornets with 22 goals and 48 points in 25 games and to a berth in the state tournament, where they lost to the eventual champs from Benilde-St. Margaret’s. Still, Hurley came out smiling.

“It was amazing,” he said. “I had been dreaming about it since I was a little kid, watching my brother win it in 2005. It was so much fun skating on that ice.”

His brother Ryan won the prestigious title with Holy Angels (Erik Johnson’s alma mater) and also taught Connor the importance of diversity – in this case, trading off hockey and lacrosse as a way to build skills. And what Connor does well in the arena can be traced to those lessons from his Lax bro:

“I see the ice well and there’s also my playmaking and scoring,” he said. “Being able to make passes without looking.”

Right now, Hurley is playing in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League, which gathers the top players from around Minnesota (plus a few out-of-state squads) for autumn play, since the high school season doesn't start until late November. He’s currently second in league scoring with a goal and seven points in three games – all wins for Team Southwest. Hurley may spend some time with the United States League’s Muskegon Lumberjacks this season too, with the NCAA looming after that.

“I grew up watching the (U. of Minnesota) Gophers, but it’s going to be different now with the Big Ten,” Hurley said. “It’s going to be a very good league, so it will probably be either Big Ten or Hockey East – those are the teams I dreamed of playing for.” Draft eligible in 2013.

I don't have much knowledge of this upcoming draft, but what's everyone's take on Max Domi? I'd love to be able to have two Domi jerseys in my collection.

best put would be a kadri lite who's career in the NHL would be best suited as a winger than a center. He's not a primary player but someone who is secondary that'll help you or those primary players when needed.

I don't have much knowledge of this upcoming draft, but what's everyone's take on Max Domi? I'd love to be able to have two Domi jerseys in my collection.

I'd love to have him in that 15-20 range. He's being ranked far too low IMO. His production is being devalued because he's playing on such a good team. I'd definitely take him over guys ranked ahead of him like Rychel or Horvat.

He reminds me of two players (and this is scary): Jeff Skinner and Nazem Kadri. High offensive production, slightly undersized.

I'll admit I haven't seen enough MD play to fully judge how good he is defensively.

I'd love to have him in that 15-20 range. He's being ranked far too low IMO. His production is being devalued because he's playing on such a good team. I'd definitely take him over guys ranked ahead of him like Rychel or Horvat.

He reminds me of two players (and this is scary): Jeff Skinner and Nazem Kadri. High offensive production, slightly undersized.

I'll admit I haven't seen enough MD play to fully judge how good he is defensively.

I agree he gets sort of underrated around here. I would also agree he tends to not get the credit he deserves playing on a strong London team. Yeah a strong team helps, but the kid is ultra talented.

I would still take Horvat over him though. I like Horvat's all around game, and I believe he has an underrated offensive game that could explode given the proper conditions.

I've seen McDavid up close 4 or 5 times. Certainly looks to be a more complete player, at 15, than Tavares was. His skating is light years better.

He's truly a special player.

also seen him 5 times now. This kid at 15 is unreal. What really impressed me was watching their practice. Only got the opportunity once but thats what showed me his class.

He has everything you want. Elite hockey IQ, skating, speed, hands, intangibles and drive. I know it's premature but dare i say he reminds me of Gretz... 2 reasons, his awareness on the ice and how he uses his lack of size to his FULL advantage.

also seen him 5 times now. This kid at 15 is unreal. What really impressed me was watching their practice. Only got the opportunity once but thats what showed me his class.

He has everything you want. Elite hockey IQ, skating, speed, hands, intangibles and drive. I know it's premature but dare i say he reminds me of Gretz... 2 reasons, his awareness on the ice and how he uses his lack of size to his FULL advantage.

I hate tank nation

BUT

TANK NATION 2015

Most likely not going to happen. Let's just hope we make a trade for a first that luckily ends up being 1st overall in 2015. Similar to what Boston did to us.